Cognitive Development

Units: 3

Prerequisites: None

Lecture Hours: 15

Course Completion Hours: 90

This course offers a unified account of the major research findings and theories on the development of children's thinking from infancy to adolescence; and considers their practical implications. It examines the change processes through which development occurs, as well as the nature of the changes in language, perception, memory, conceptual understanding, and problem-solving that mark cognitive development.

S.T.E.M. for Preschool (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math)

Units: 3

Prerequisites: None

Lecture Hours: 15

Course Completion Hours: 90

*For students pursuing a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™, this course can be applied toward the formal education requirement.

Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in early childhood classrooms, through “Big Ideas” offers a way to think about the future classroom and to meet the needs of children who come to, into it, with diverse experience, knowledge, and abilities.  We change how we think about STEM for young children.  In this course we focus on big ideas-like patterns, transformation, movement, balance, and relationships-to think about content, and they integrate STEM through these big ideas, rather than linking them topically. We look at why it is important to think about thinking, introduce assessment early to help teachers plan for assessment before teaching even begins, and set up an environment that will support the construction of big ideas that integrate STEM.

S.T.E.A.M. for Infants & Toddlers

Units: 3

Prerequisites: None

Lecture Hours: 15

Course Completion Hours: 90

In this course students will learn how to integrate S.T.E.A.M. ideas for infants and toddlers.  Reflecting on how children in these age groups are naturally inclined to learn about worldly concepts like Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.  For instance, their use of scientific observation and experimentation, the handling of natural and digital technology, learning how set materials function like an engineer, understanding artistic approaches and designs to activities, and the use of mathematical properties to show difference and make categorizations of objects.  S.T.E.A.M. is represented in a way that teaches infants and toddlers to discern the difference between the certain concepts, while also seeing the connection between them all.  The course will not only teach students why these concepts are vital to infants and toddlers but give the necessary examples of shaping their own curriculum and environment based on S.T.E.A.M.  Overall, students will learn how to create a thriving environment for S.T.E.A.M. to be successfully retained by infants and toddlers.

Effective Strategies for Challenging Behaviors

Units: 3

Prerequisites: None

Lecture Hours: 15

Course Completion Hours: 90

This course contains numerous practical, indispensable tips for responding to those with challenging behaviors, building relationships with children and their families, and preventing unwanted classroom behavior.  It provides teachers with background information that enables them to understand why children behave the way they do and presents several evidence-based strategies to address their challenging behavior effectively so that teachers can select those best suited to the child and the situation.  Useful to early education students, the class emphasizes the importance of the teacher’s role in the behavior of children and encourages students and educators to reflect on their own values, feeling, and actions.  In addition to up-to-date research on culture, dual-language learning, resilience, and inclusion, this course focuses on what stress can do to children’s brain, executive function, and behavior.

Creating Environments for Learning

Units: 3

Prerequisites: None

Lecture Hours: 15

Course Completion Hours: 90

In this course teachers get practical help for designing play-based environments that ensure effective teaching and learning while meeting national and state standards.  The course presents basic information and environmental and curricular possibilities through numerous examples, photos, and videos that demonstrate early childhood theories, child development current research, and curriculum standards and outcomes in action.  It emphasizes the importance of considering multiple aspects including the standards and children’s interests, developmental levels, and cultural and geographic backgrounds.  The course includes expanded information on diversity, early childhood learning theories, working in K-though third-grade settings, and 21st century learning initiatives that allow students to be better prepared for early childhood settings.  The most current information on research, curriculum standards, and play-based learning, plus numerous examples make this resource practical, interesting, and understandable for future and practicing teachers in family childcare homes, childcare centers, preschools, and elementary schools.

Adult Supervision & Leadership

Units: 3

Prerequisites: None

Lecture Hours: 15

Course Completion Hours: 90

This course covers the nature of leadership, how to be a leader in various settings in early care and education, how to work in early childhood teams (staff, faculty, and other professionals) and with families, and how advocacy is a form of leadership.  This course includes cases and reflection questions.  Emphasizes that regardless of position, all early childhood professionals can be leaders in their field and help provide guidance for positivity supporting early childhood professionals through effective and reflective adult supervision.

Early Childhood Special Education

Units: 3

Prerequisites: None

Lecture Hours: 15

Course Completion Hours: 90

This course offers an in depth coverage of the history of early childhood education, special education, and litigation related to special education services and the importance of use of non-biased, highly effective assessments, combined with an overview and of major theories, their application, and an extended discussion of health-related contributors to disabilities (e.g., HIV, alcohol, cocaine)  related to early childhood development all combine to make this course unique in its field.  The course provides dedicated special education teachers and therapists with the tools and strategies needed to work cooperatively and effectively with other professionals.  As part of the fundamental focus of this course.

Movement & Music

Units: 3

Prerequisites: None

Lecture Hours: 15

Course Completion Hours: 90

Taking into account the growing obesity epidemic and the expanding relationship between physical activity, music, and performance, this course gives students the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions to guide and motivate children toward a lifetime of movement.  More than a listing of activities, this course presents in-depth information on physical activity and music that allows the early childhood educator to match motivating physical activity and music lessons to the developmental level of the child.  The guiding principles throughout the course focus on meeting individual needs, reciprocating environment and curriculum, integrating movement and music, involving family and community, and providing guidance through assessment and standards.

Promoting Wellness in Early Childhood

Units: 3

Prerequisites: None

Lecture Hours: 15

Course Completion Hours: 90

This courses focuses on wellness and prepares students to teach the diverse populations of young children in family child care, childcare centers, preschools, and elementary settings by providing everything needed to ensure students understand wellness concepts, know how to apply wellness concepts, and know how to teach wellness concepts to children.  It helps students understand the interrelationships among nutrition, health, and safety, and gives them strategies to share their knowledge with children and their families.  Covering the full range of childhood from birth into school-age, it promotes thinking about professional situations students will face in their own classrooms and teaching situations, while providing a glimpse into the everyday contemporary classroom environment.  This course gives early childhood teachers what they need to help all children attain wellness and be ready for success in school.